TRICKS OF TIME

1. "Jurassic Spark" (11:24) nice familiar sounds (of GENESIS) to open the album--the motif in picked up in the second minute even moreso. The vocal of Göran Johnsson are a little bland--having a tone and style quite like that of GUY MANNING. Nice Phil Collins-style drumming throughout. It's not until the eighth minute that the next motif (a brief break) is used, but then it just reverts to the same as before. Göran's limitations begin to show more as he tries to stretch his pitch in the ninth minute. (17.25/20)

2. "Words Are Not Enough" (4:01) beautiful intro of melody and chord progressions. The synth begins soloing at the one-minute mark, just at the perfect time for something new to happen. Then wonderful/beautiful Jan Akkerman-like electric guitar solo ensues. Beautiful! I am blown away! This is so gorgeous! Would that all of this band's music could be like this. Easily my favorite song on the album. (9/10)

3. "Waiting For Water" (9:39) nice enough sound palette and IQ opening, but the song just kind of goes nowhere, repeating the same melody lines over and over over the course of quite a long time. The singer repeats this same melody with a pleasant enough voice but no real force or enthusiasm. The Eef Albers-like guitar and the "I'm Not in Love" Mellotron chords are really the only things saving this one from total failure. (17.75/20)

4. "Empty Barrels Rattle The Most" (9:34) a somewhat bluesy GENESIS instrumental. Nice sound production (except for the drums). Why repeat the "Waiting for Water" theme in the final minute? (17/20)

5. "Old Man's Tale" (16:00) a well-intended suite falls a bit short despite the rather faithful imitation of GENESIS sounds and motifs. (25.75/30): - I- Make Way For The Old Man - organ sounding as if background/intro for a children's story hour. - II- Questions & Answers - bluesy guitar establishes interesting drumming pattern. - III- Floating Among The Clouds - the exciting pace and textures of this section are weighted down by the vocals. - IV- The Rumble Dance - an instrumental passage very much like Genesis' "Back in NYC", "Dance on a Volcano" or "Los Endos" - V- Second Thoughts - more Genesis motifs explored. - VI- Back To The Park - - VII- Live Your Life, Be On Your Way - pulling it all together for the finish. Competent just not enough newness.

Total Time: 50:38

A very polished prog band in the vein of TONY BANKS/GENESIS, it is in their wonderfully clear, precise production that I actually find my issues: the way the drums are recorded (are they computerized? or just super cheap and super gated?), and the way the voice is mixed (seemingly without effects). The lyrics are a bit banal and the singer, though possessing a nice voice, is the least polished "instrument" in the band. In fact, some of his vocal attempts sound outright amateur. All in all, Tricks of Time contains some very nice music--especially if you are a fan of Tony Banks' keyboards (and solo work), Phil Collins' drumming 1970s style but 1980s sound, Mike Rutherford's bass/bass pedals and solo albums, and Steve Hillage, Steve Hackett, and John Mitchell's guitar styles and Eef Albers' guitar sound, and, most of all, the music of GENESIS between 1974-1977. The album's last song, however, the 16-minute, seven-part suite, "Old Man's Tale" has (mostly) a different (non-Genesis) sound and style to it--it sounds more like some of GUY MANNING's work (except for the middle section which is almost stolen straight out of "The Cinema Show").

B/four stars; a nice collection of Genesis-like NeoProg that many prog lovers will love despite the fact there is a lot of imitation here and not much fresh, new sounds or ideas.

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